Magazine and blowpipe for projecting elongated projectiles



June 1968 A. HOVERATH ETAL 3,388,696

MAGAZINE AND BLOWPIPE FOR PROJECTING ELONGATED PROJECTILES Filed Jan. 5, 1965 INVENTORS ALOYS HOVERATH INGETRAUT HOVERATH n'ee REICHERT mm W ATTORNEY? United States Patent ice 3,388,696 MAGAZKNE AN!) BLQWYIPE FOR PROJECTENG ELONGATED PROJEQTILES Aloys Hoverath and Ingetraut Hoverath, nee Reichert,

both of Hans Boclderstrasse, Bottrop, Westphalia,

Germany Filed Jan. 5, 1965, Ser. No. 423,518 3 Ciaims. (Cl. 124-12) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Blowgun comprising a pipe with a magazine opening into the pipe from above near the mouthpiece end and with an inclined wall in the pipe near the mouthpiece end of the magazine to guide the projectiles feeding from the magazine into the pipe along an inclined path from the magazine into shooting position in the pipe.

This invention relates to a blowpipe, constructed for the use as a toy or for use in games, serving for the purpose to expell a projectile, inserted into the blowpipe, by means of the push of air blown into it.

A blowpipe of this kind is already known, which is provided with a magazine of tube shape, vertically mounted onto said blowpipe, said magazine being arranged in the neighbourhood of the mouthpiece of the blowpipe, said magazine serving for receiving several projectiles in the form of balls, piled up on one another.

A disadvantage of this arrangement consists in that the balls roll out of the magazine tube into the blowpipe proper, as well as further on, out of the latter, in an uncontrollable way, which becomes particularly apparent during a low degree oblique position of the blowpipe.

Further, with such a blowgun or blowpipe, all of the projectiles will feed, one after the other, from the magazine into the pipe and be expelled in succession during a continuous air blast.

This invention relates to a new construction of such a blowpipe and of the projectiles expelled by the same, preventing the aforesaid disadvantages.

It is not difficult, but somewhat expensive, to get a oneshot blowpipe by using additional moveable parts which either for a time block the opening between the magazine and the tube, thus preventing the dropping of the next projectile into the tube or which bring the single projectiles into the shot position one after another.

This invention relates to a new construction of blowpipes with a magazine which is exceedingly simple but very reliable, the magazine part being produced as one single part and, therefore, not nearly as expensive as any other one-shot blowpipe with magazines having additional parts. Said blowpipe has no moveable parts but at least one fixed inclined sliding, or guide, surface leading the projectiles from the magazine over to a suitable shooting position inside the tube. As such a sliding, or guide, surface there may be sued the narrow front or rear wall of the magazine. We have found that, depending on the angle formed by the narrow lateral surface and the axis of the blowpipe proper and, whether at one blowing push one projectile only (individual firing) or several propectiles (continuous firing) will be expelled from the blowpipe.

These projectiles, according to the invention, are received in a positon piled up on one another in a magazine, adapted in cross section to the outer shapes of the projectiles, i.e., a rather elongated rectangularly shaped magazine. Whether at one blast into the blowpipe mouthpiece, one projectile only (individual firing) or several projectiles (continuous firing) will be expelled from the 3,388,695 Patented June 18, 1968 blowpipe, depends on the angle formed by the magazine with regard to the blowpipe proper.

Therewith elongated projectiles may be used, advantageously such kinds of projectiles having shaft shape, being provided for guidance and stabilizations sake with elongated fins, tapered on at the fore-end of the projectile, and loaded into the blowpipe. The fore-end of these projectiles may furthermore be provided with a sucking cup consisting of a soft, elastic material, such as for instance plastic material.

In order to make possible the loading of such kinds of elongated projectiles into the magazine, without impediment by the sucking cups provided at the fore-ends of the projectiles, there may be arranged a cylindrically enlarged part, serving as a sliding cylinder and as a weight increasing body. Between the sucking cups and the cylindrical enlargement there may be provided a thin hollowshaped cylinder, serving as a bumper and causing the decrease of the shock of the projectile hitting its target.

An advantage of the outlined construction of the projectiles consists in that they are stabilized during their flight, thanks to their stabilizing fins, that they do not impede one another when being blown out, thanks to their sliding members, and that on account of their suction cups bearing heads they do not constitute any danger whatsoever for persons, especially for children, even in case of being handled without precaution.

With the construction of a blowpipe according to the invention provided with a magazine there will ensue, under the influence of gravity, an easy passing into the proper blowpipe of the single projectiles, piled up upon one another in the magazine.

In the accompanying drawing different forms of realization of the objects of the invention are represented by way of examples and schematically.

FIG. 1 represents a longitudinal section of a first form of the blowpipe apparatus according to the invention with a magazine and elongated projectiles.

FIG. 2 shows a different modified form of the blowpipe and magazine in longitudinal section.

FIG. 3 shows a further different modified form of the blowpipe apparatus and magazine in longitudinal section.

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus according to FIG. 3 in another phase of the blowing operation.

FIG. 5 shows the same longitudinal section as FIG. 1, but with projectiles of a ditferent shape.

FIG. 6 shows a further different modified construction of the blowpipe apparatus and magazine in longitudinal section.

FIG. 7 is a section along the line VIIVII of FIG. 1. In this section the magazine is represented as observed in the direction of the arrows of the section line.

FIG. 8 is a section along the line VIIIVIII of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an elevational perspective view of a blowpipe with a magazine according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is an elevational perspective view of a typical projectile.

FIGS. 1 to 6 show modifications of the blowpipe, all with projectiles in the magazine, and showing the transfer thereof into the blowpipe proper, with FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 showing as well, different stages of the blowing operations.

FIG. 1 shows a blowpipe A consisting for instance of a plastic material, produced in one single part. The blowpipe may be extended by fixing on an additional tubular part B. On part A a magazine M is connected in an optional way and may be fixed.

In magazine M a number of projectiles, for instance a, b and c, piled upon one another, is arranged. The magazine is closed by means of a lid D. A catch or stop S, arranged between magazine M and mouthpiece E, prevents that a projectile, for instance during inhaling or lifting of the muzzle of the blowpipe, would slide into the mouth of the operator of the blowpipe.

FIGS. 2 and 3 represent, how, by means of a certain oblique position of the magazine, indicated by angle B, namely, on the one hand by inclining the magazine toward the mouth piece, according to FIG. 2, individual firing may be obtained, while on the other hand by inclining the magazine toward the muzzle of the blowpipe, according to FIG. 3, continuous firing may be obtained.

As a preparation for using the blowpipe, according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, several projectiles with their suction plates pointing into the direction of the movement of the shot are caused to enter into the magazine. The upper aperture of the magazine is then closed by means of the lid. Thereupon the blowpipe is vigorously blown into by way of the mouthpice, whereby the projectiles are discharged in the direction of the pipe. Depending on where the projectiles hit the target, the angle of the pipe may be corrected after each blowing operation. The projectiles automatically fall from the magazine into the pipe.

FIG. 2 represents, how, at a certain oblique position of the magazine relative to the pipe, and by way of shifting the gravity of the projectiles toward the suction-cup bearing head, there may be obtained that at one blowing operation several projectiles will leave the pipe in succession (continuous firing). With very light projectiles in the magazine of the FIG. 2 modification, single shot operation is possible because the air blast that expels one projectile will hold the next against wall W2, particularly since the projectile tilts when the propectile being expelled slides forwardly in the tube.

The projectile c and d, like a and b, slide downward along the back wall W of the magazine, and at least the lowermost projectile in the magazine is against the front wall W by the pressure of the stream of the blast. The mentioned oblique position of wall W causes the said projectile to be pressed downward into the blowpipe one after the other so that projectiles a, b, c and d leave the pipe one after another as a result of one single blowing operation.

FIG. 3 shows, how for an obliqueness of the magazine in the opposite direction one projectile only leaves the pipe as a result of one blowing operation.

There is particularly represented, how, due to a blowing operation, projectile a is driven through the pipe. Projectile b simultaneously first slides into the pipe with its rear end, as at its head point it is held longest in the upward position by projectile a. This short lapse of time of the sliding down of the rear-end of projectile b, and the impossibility of the simultaneous sliding down of the suction-cup bearing head, as long as the same is held by projectile a, moving forward in the pipe, is sufficient to press projectile b, first caught at its rear end by the blowing pressure with its suction cup bearing head in an oblique direction upward in point P toward the front wall W of the magazine, said wall having a forward obliqueness or a vertical position. A position of the magazine of this kind causes then projectile b to be pressed upward with its suction cup bearing point, thus rendering it impossible for said projectile to enter into the pipe. The angle B of wall W deviates only a little from 90 degrees, because for a greater angle the projectile would be pressed upward along wall W in such a violent manner, that it would be turned over. The deviation advantageously does not surpass about degrees and at best is about 4 to 5 degrees.

FIG. 4 shows, how in the very moment that the projectile a leaves the pipe, the over-pressure at the pipe-end expands and projectile b is drawn from the magazine into the pipe. If after the blowing operation the inhaling action is also intermittently eifectuated by way of the mouthpiece, this suction is still increased. Eventually jamming projectiles are hereby drawn into the pipe.

FIG. 5 shows how for the use of lightweight, flightstabiliZed projectiles, consisting of a suction cup bearing head and stabilizing fins only, an impeding of projectile a, intended to be launched, may occur, caused by the suction cup bearing head of projectile b, situated above projectile a.

FIG. 6 represents, how this impediment is prevented by the use of an inclined sliding surface, provided as by a pin St. Pin St, inclined as shown, is disposed beneath the rear-wall of the magazine, i.e., the wall nearest the mouthpiece end of the blowpipe. The said pin is inclined from the rear wall of the magazine toward the outlet of the blowpipe in the downward direction. The same purpose is obtained by a similarly inclined sliding surface, permitted however only to fill part of the pipe diameter. By means of this pin or sliding surface St respectively, during the filling of the magazine the first projectile, without delay, slides forward as far that the suction cup bearing head of projectile b cannot possibly lie in front of the suction cup of projectile a and prevent expulsion of projectile a. It is thus of no importance, in what way the following projectiles are situated, because during the first blowing operation the projectile a is driven toward the blowpipe muzzle, and the following projectiles, placed above it, are somewhat lifted at their suction cup bearing heads. As soon as the first projectile leaves, the second projectileas did the first projectile during the filling operation of the magazine-slides down onto St, slides again forward and may now likewise unimpeded be blown out of the pipe.

This sliding pin St described or sliding surface, respectively, oblique in the indicated way beneath the magazine toward the muzzle, constitutes an essential characteristic of the invention. The sliding pin becomes particularly efficient when lightweight, flight-stabilized projectiles are being used, consisting of a suction cup bearing head and stabilizing pins only, without a weight increasing body.

All of the operations outlined here, may very distinctly be observed with transparent models.

FIG. 9 shows in elevation a form of the blowpipe with fixed mouthpiece, the magazine being mounted behind the said mouthpiece.

FIG. 10 is an elevational perspective view of a projectile suited for all of the blowpipes with magazines that have been described. Accordingly the projectile is provided with a staff-like shaped rear part with guidance and stabilizing fins F, narrowing toward the fore-end. At the fore-end the projectile bears a suction cup H, consisting of a soft, elastic plastic material. In front of this, separated by a thin hollow cylinder, acting as a buffer, there is an enlargement V, serving as a gliding cylinder as well as a weight increasing body.

In case of using projectites without weight increasing bodies, a blowpipe with a vertically mounted magazine, for instance in accordance with FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, may suitably be used. Projectiles with weight increasing bodies (compare FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) are particularly suited for use in a blowpipe having a magazine with an inclined position.

We claim:

1. A blowpipe comprising a tubular pipe open at both ends and having a mouthpiece end and a discharge end, with an upwardly extending magazine connected to said pipe near the mouthpiece end and opening at the bottom into said pipe for movement of projectiles from the magazine into said pipe, said magazine extending at right angles to said pipe and being substantially rectangular when viewed from above with its longer axis extending in the same direction as the axis of said tubular pipe so as to be adapted to receive a plurality of elongated projectiles and to support the projectiles in superimposed relation in the magazine and with their axes parallel to said pipe, and a wall portion in said pipe extending across the pipe in the up and down direction in the region of the mouthpiece end of the magazine and inclined from top to bottom to ward the discharge end of the pipe, said wall portion being located vertically beneath said bottom end of said magazine whereby said wall portion is engageable with the corresponding end of a projectile feeding from the magazine into shooting position in said pipe so as to guide the projectile along an inclined path from the magazine into said pipe, said wall being narrower in the lateral direction than said pipe to permit air to pass thereby to propel the projectile in shooting position from the pipe.

2. A blowpipe according to claim 1 in which said wall portion is in the form of an extension of the wall of said magazine which is at the mouthpiece end of the magazine.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1874 Hotchkiss 89-33.1 3/1964 Ayala 273-1065 10 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

W. R. BROWNE, Assistant Examiner. 

